Chapter 38: It’s Raining

“Qiao’an, did you go abroad?”

“Yeah, I visited the Netherlands and Iceland during the Spring Festival holiday. Here are some gifts for everyone.”

“These candies aren’t cheap. I’ve seen them in the import section of the supermarket.”

“They’re much more affordable in the Netherlands. Try one! So, how was your Spring Festival?”

“Dull. We just stayed home. This winter was incredibly dry, wasn’t it? Look, my skin is suffering!”

“It’s true, it seems like ages since it rained since the beginning of autumn, and there’s no snow in winter at all. I feel so inflamed while staying at home with the heating on. Look at these breakouts in my face!”

“Sigh, this winter is indeed abnormal. In the past, even if it was dry, there was never a case where there was no snow at all. But let’s wait a bit more, maybe it will snow in a few days.” Bi Qiao’an sighed inwardly, dreading what the future might hold.

“We can only wait. We can’t exactly dictate heaven to send us rain, no?”

Half a month later, Cai Chun wrapped up his Europa’s affairs and returned to Qinghua. It was the same coffee shop where he’d met Wei Yun before, only this time, they sought the privacy of the back room.

“Miss Wei, what is it you want me to do?”

“I want to be with Shen Yanming!”

“I can’t help you with that. I’ve worked alongside President Shen for years. He’s a man of principle, and now he’s with Bi Qiao’an. There’s no possibility of them breaking up.”

Wei Yun’s expression turned vicious. “No, I will be with Shen Yanming, by any means necessary!”

“Miss Wei, please reconsider. I don’t have that kind of influence. Suggest a plan and I’ll follow it, but…”

His words trailed off as Wei Yun glowered at him. 

She had no plan, no way to force Shen Yanming’s hand!

After a tense silence, she hissed, “What if Shen Yanming and I… if the deed were done? Would he accept responsibility then?”

Cai Chun’s eyes widened. “Miss Wei, how could you have such thoughts? And if President Shen was interested in that, wouldn’t you have found a way without me?”

“Humph, if he doesn’t willingly accept me, I’ll leave him no choice. You wait for my instructions. You’ll help me when the time is right!”

Meeting with Cai Chun yielded no strategy. Wei Yun fumed on the drive home.

Feeling bored so she turned on the TV. A soap opera scene played out— the male villain drugged the female lead, only to be foiled by the hero. Wei Yun seemed to have opened the door to a new world. Immediately, she dialed Cai Chun.

“Cai Chun, get me that kind of aphrodisiac drug!” she demanded.

“Impossible, Miss Wei, I can’t do that!” Cai Chun was back in the country solely due to Wei Yun’s coercion. He wanted as little to do with her as possible

“Cai Chun, don’t force me to expose your secrets!” Wei Yun hissed.

“Miss Wei, you are also aware. I’m just a secretary. I’ve been working in Europa for the past few years. How would I have the connections to get what you mentioned? And I’m clumsy…within minutes I’d be found out. If that happens, you’d go down with me, wouldn’t you?” Cai Chun’s voice was calm, almost cheerful.

“Cai Chun, you’ve gotten quite bold, I see. Just you wait.” Wei Yun seethed but she knew he was right.  

Did this mean Cai Chun had no way? Of course not, he simply didn’t want to get involved!

Wei Yun wracked her brain for contacts. Finally, she called an old acquaintance, a playboy with underground connections.  

Once the drugs were procured and the playboy’s discretion bought with a hefty sum, Wei Yun turned her focus to securing an opportunity to deploy her scheme. How could she even get close to Shen Yanming if she cannot even see him regularly?

Desperation drove her to a decision.

“Dad, I agree to the engagement with Lin Yongke!”

---

On March 09, 2258, the long-awaited rain finally graced the earth.

“It’s about time for this rain! My skin almost couldn’t take it anymore.”

“So true. It’s almost time for spring plowing as well. If it didn’t rain, what would happen to this year’s harvest?”

Bi Qiao’an overheard the office chatter and felt a deep unease. Checking the Weibo on her phone, she saw that the netizens’ reactions echoed her colleagues’ jubilation. Their excitement only deepened her disquiet. She closed the webpage and dazedly sat back in her seat.

Shen Yanming was mirroring her mood in his office. His coworkers buzzed and chattered about the downpour.

Shen Yanming sighed, “It finally came. So much for hoping for the reversal of fortune.”

At Feiyang International, Zhang Chenjun watched the rain pelt the window and sighed. 

“What’s meant to be will be,” she murmured. The thought was somehow both comforting and dispiriting. You can’t outrun destiny, even with rebirth. She checked her watch and took a calming breath. It’s almost time to leave work and put her own plans into motion.

Zhang Chenjun retrieved the umbrella she’d stashed in her desk for this very occasion. She took a moment to compose her features into a look of caring concern, then walked toward the office she’d frequented lately with practiced grace.

“Brother Xiao, it’s raining. Did you bring an umbrella?” she asked sweetly.

Xiao Fei shook his head. “No, it slipped my mind because there was no winter snow. Do you?”

“I knew you’d forget.” Zhang Chenjun flashed a brilliant smile and pulled an umbrella from behind her back with a flourish. “Here, take this and hurry home!”

Her whole face screamed ‘Are you surprised? Aren’t I thoughtful? Praise me!’ that Xiao Fei’s heart melted. In that instant, he wanted nothing more than to hug Zhang Chenjun close.

But some rationality remained. “Chenjun, a girl like you shouldn’t get soaked. Keep this. I’m a man, a little rain won’t hurt!”

Pouting while pretending to be upset, she shoved the umbrella into his arms. “I’m giving it to you, so take it! My driver will be here soon. Now, don’t get sick, or someone might worry!”

With that, her face flushed rosy as she stole a shy glance at Xiao Fei with adoration in her eyes.

Xiao Fei’s lips pressed into a thin line as he stood conflicted.

Zhang Chenjun saw the struggle in Xiao Fei’s eyes and felt a flicker of triumph, though outwardly her smile was tinged with concern. “Hurry home now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”  

She waved her hand at him before turning crisply on her heel to leave.

As she strode away, the warmth melted from her features, leaving them cool and impassive. Only when she was safely ensconced back in her own office did she allow a smirk to curl her lips. “Oh, Xiao Fei,” she murmured. “How much longer can you resist?”

Xiao Fei, on the other hand, couldn’t keep the smile off his face on the way home as his mind replayed Zhang Chenjun’s sweet gesture and beguiling glances.